I love making drinks
Brewing up for my next side-hustle as a Barista
When I have a solo morning/afternoon off, I love going in search of a highly-involved, possibly overpriced beverage. It could be a Vanilla Sea Salt Matcha Latte from Jenki; a roasted buckwheat black tea from Truedan; a mango milkshake from Tasty Treats outside Forest Gate station, or a delicious coffee from a featured roaster at Prufrock Coffee.
But what I love even more is making delicious drinks at home. Now in the world of specialist drinks, I’m a novice; I have an idea, I whip up something using some instant coffee, some ice and maybe a blender and voilà! A drink that I’ll likely consume in the space of two minutes.
Who I’m aspiring to are the specialist drinks designers and makers who’ve actually transformed the average tipple into an entire category worthy of top billing. The likes of @forumforformation, Malik Acid and my good friend Rowena, Oatly’s head of food and drinks experience (who comes up with drinks like this, this and this!!!), make cocktails, cold-brew teas, coffees and other potable concoctions that aren’t designed to simply quench your thirst (although that is a benefit), they’re designed to be the main event.
I’m certainly not at the specialist standard in my drinks making career – at least, not yet – and my current rotation of DIY drinks aren’t refined and they’re not labour intensive. But they are thrilling to make and satisfying to drink and the process of putting them together makes me feel a bit like I'm five years old again, making mysterious potions during bath time.
And while I’ll never deny anyone the pleasure of paying over the odds for an iced -cold-drink when out and about – especially in this weather, when what else are we reaching for on the fly if it’s not a freshly poured pint, a Lipton Iced Tea (Peach) or a fridge-cold bottle of San Pellegrino? – hear me out. There’s something immensely satisfying about whipping up an unconventional little bev at home every now and again.
You don't need much; just some imagination, a fridge and maybe a blender if, like me, you like me, you enjoy sneaking a handful of fruit or veg into proceedings
Here are a few of the not-so-boring drinks I’ve been making lately:
Tomato water spritz
This one came about when I was making Pan Con Tomate for lunch one day. It’s basically a no-waste recipe, where you take watery run off from the grated tomato pulp and top it with sparkling water. Vichy Catalan works especially well here.
Optional additions: a sprinkle of sea salt and a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce if you’re after a little Bloody Mary energy.
Salted-honey iced coffee
Brew a small but strong cup of instant coffee (I use Nescafé Azera), add a generous drizzle of honey (runny or set both work) a pinch of sea salt and stir well. In a separate tall glass/vessel of your choice, add a handful of ice, milk (if using), then pour over your sweet-and-salty coffee, stir and enjoy.
20-second lemonade
When life gives you lemons etc.
It really is as easy and quick as blending one or two lemons (chopped into quarters) with water, a tablespoon of sugar and a glug of olive oil to make your very own lemonade. Strain out the rind and pitch using a sieve, then either top up with fizzy water or drink it straight over ice.
Optional additions: a slug of gin or Mother Root wouldn’t be out of place here.
Collagen strawberry milkshake
This concoction feels like a treat but comes with the skin-, nail-, bone- and hair-nourishing benefits of bovine collagen, which might sound a little strange in a milkshake but it’s completely tasteless.
Take a handful of fresh strawberries (stems removed) and add them to a blender with ice, half a cup of whole milk (preferably organic) and a 10g scoop of collagen powder – I like this one. Blend until smooth, pour into your favourite glass, drink and feel virtuous.
Banana vanilla smoothie
This is Jack’s favourite of my DIY drinks repertoire, which I’m currently drinking on a daily basis after a strange bout of nausea a couple of weeks ago. When I was feeling achy and queasy and had no appetite, this was the thing that fixed me.
For two people, I blend one banana with a generous scoop of vanilla protein powder (this is my go to), a pinch of salt and because the protein powder is mostly milk, I top it up with fridge-cold water and a handful of ice. Blend into a creamy oblivion and if you can, drink slowly to avoid brain freeze.
Optional additions: a heaped teaspoon of peanut butter for added protein/deliciousness.
Plus the aforementioned, JENKI Vanilla Sea Salt Matcha Latte, which is a doddle to re-create this one at home.
Until next time, have a good one!
I like drinks
These drinks sound deeeelicious